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OR Professor Ben Cowling (1990-1997) awarded MBE in the 2021 Queen’s birthday honour’s list

We are proud to announce that Old Redingensian Professor Ben Cowling (1990-1997) is to be made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to public health and to research on Covid-19.

As director of the World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre, he moved to Hong Kong with his family in 2004 to carry out research on infectious diseases. Thanks to his work on the SARS outbreak, his team has made recommendations to the government on how to respond to Covid-19 and his research has made a significant impact on science and public health around the world.  
Reading School extends our sincerest congratulations to Professor Cowling for such an outstanding achievement.

Mr AM Robson (Headmaster) said:

“We are proud of the achievements of Ben Cowling, a highly valued member of the Reading School family.

Indeed, all the Reading School community are inspired by Professor Cowling’s recent award of an MBE for his influential research on Covid-19.

We, along with the World Health Organisation, value his expertise in public health matters. Ben is a role model who has demonstrated commitment and dedication to excellence and has successfully sought to use his gifts to serve others. We encourage all our students to learn from his example and develop a positive legacy.”

To get to know more about Professor Cowling, please view his biography, or a video featuring his journey as a scientist.

If you are an Old Redingensian and would like to join our private LinkedIn medical society, please click here: Reading School Alumni Medical Society  

We are always delighted to hear from Reading School alumni. By sharing your story, you enhance the aspirations of current students inspiring them to succeed. Voices of Old Redingensians is a part of a community engagement programme that connects our current pupils with our Old Boys who have words of wisdom and stories to share.


If you are interested in being interviewed by our current senior pupils about your time at Reading School, sharing your career path and experience beyond Reading School, please get in contact with Jas Chhokar (Society Manager) at alumni@reading-school.co.uk.  

Alternatively, if you would like to share your professional expertise, academic specialism or research background with our students through a short talk, master class, tutorial or inspire lecture, please complete the form here: Remote Inspire Lectures

If you have any further queries, please contact Piatrice or Jas at events@reading-school.co.uk 

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